Bruising, anemia, scared I have cancer.

[Sportserie]

For the past three weeks, I've noticed I am bruising a lot more easily. I was in NY on vacation and we walked quite a bit. I developed a huge bruise on my calf without bumping into anything. I have bruises on my arms and legs. I have noticed that if I apply pressure to my arm or leg, sometimes I get a huge burning rash that leaves a mark sometimes. I have no idea what that is. I have had some painful periods the past 4/5 months but not super heavy or I guess more heavy than usual. See, I've always been slightly iron deficient BUT these numbers recently are more severe (and I don't even know if they indicate iron deficiency) and I have never had a low red blood count and now I do. I also have never bruised until now:

8/23/2011

WBC 4.0 - 11.0  (7.7)
RBC 3.8 - 5.2  (3.77) (L)
Hemoglobin 11.7 - 15.7 g/dL  (11.1) (L)
Hematocrit 35.0 - 47.0 % (32.6) (L)
MCV 78 - 100 fl  (87)
MCH 26.5 - 33.0 pg (29.4)
MCHC 31.5 - 36.5 g/dL (34.0)
RDW 10.0 - 15.0 % (12.8)
Platelet Count 150 - 450 10e9/L (297)

INR 1.03 0.86 - (1.14)
PTT (29) 22 - 37 sec

Ferritin (18) 10 - 120 ng/mL

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Could I have a cancer going on based on these results? I thought leukemia would affect the white count and mine's normal but what is causing my red blood cell count to go low?

Whenever I've had anemia in the past only my hemoglobin and hematocrit are affected, not the red blood cell count. Now the hematocrit is lower than it's ever been and I have a low red blood cell count.

What can cause this? Does this explain my bruising? I am pretty scared.

[Sportserie]

Okay, two more tests came back a bit off....

Both low... Protein Total and Album was 3.6. The nurse said it didn't appear to be a big deal... the rest of my kidney and liver function tests were fine.

I am wondering if slightly low protein or albumin levels can indicate anything significant? Could this maybe indicate I am somehow malnourished and it's causing an vitamin deficiency anemia? I supplement with B12 and that number is normal because of that. Could I have something else wrong?

Could I have an actual liver or kidney issue even if the rest of the metabolic panel for those organs were entirely normal? Thanks!

[Sportserie]

I had  more results come in....

CORTISOL
IRON AND IRON BINDING CAPACITY
ADRENAL CORTICOTROPIN
HEMOGLOBIN A1C
PROLACTIN
TSH
T4 FREE
T3 TOTAL
DHEA SULFATE
CRP INFLAMMATION

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All normal. The iron tests being normal... does that exclude iron deficiency then? If so, then what kind of anemia do I have?

Also... if I had a cancer causing the anemia, wouldn't be CRP being off the charts high, instead of normal?

That is my biggest concern... that I have an anemia that is due to a malignant condition.

[Sportserie]

Thanks,

Is there any way to know what kind of anemia I have based on these labs? Does this appear to be iron deficiency anemia?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Anemia and deficiency of vitamins C, K, B12, or folic acid are the common causes of easy bruisability. From your blood reports it is clear that the easy bruisability and lab reports are indicative of anemia. Try taking iron tablets and multivitamins for some days and see if the symptoms improve. You can have iron rich foods like liver, lean red meats, beans like kidney, lima, navy, black, pinto, soy beans, and lentils, iron fortified whole grains, green vegetables like spinach, tofu, broccoli, swiss chard, asparagus, parsley, chicken, nuts, egg yolk and dry fruits.

You can also have iron supplements along with these foods.

If the symptoms persist then get an evaluation done from a physician.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.